IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Demolition of the flood damaged Hancher Auditorium is underway in Iowa City. Crews began tearing down the University of Iowa building shortly after nine this morning.

"It's a process that will go pretty quickly," said Rod Lehnertz, UI's director of planning design & construction. Crews plan to complete the demolition work by the end of the year.

University of Iowa officials gathered with spectators across the street Monday morning as the wrecking ball stuck Hancher for the first time. Several former and current faculty members looked on as crews first demolished the ticket office area.

Work on a nearby replacement auditorium is currently underway. That building is scheduled to open in 2015. The site of the old Hancher will become green space along the Iowa River.